The Alicante Bouschet
Grape
A red-fleshed grape, a cross between Petit Bouschet and Grenache, Alicante Bouschet is unique for its red juice. It is cultivated in France, Spain, Portugal, and the United States, producing rich, deeply colored wines with robust tannins and flavors of dark fruits, licorice, and spices, often used in blends to enhance color and body.
Alicante Bouschet
Grape History
Alicante Bouschet is a unique grape variety that holds a significant place in the world of winemaking. It has a fascinating history, distinctive characteristics, and a promising future in the wine industry.
History:
Alicante Bouschet is a teinturier grape variety, which means that both its flesh and skin are red in color. It is believed to have been created by a French viticulturist named Henri Bouschet in the late 19th century by crossing Grenache with Petit Bouschet. The grape was named after the city of Alicante in southeastern Spain. Despite its Spanish name, Alicante Bouschet is more commonly associated with France and Portugal.
Interesting facts:
- Alicante Bouschet is one of the few grape varieties that have red juice, which makes it ideal for producing deeply colored red wines.
- The grape is known for its high tannin levels and rich, dark fruit flavors, making it a popular choice for blending with other varieties to add color and structure to the final wine.
- Alicante Bouschet is grown in various wine regions around the world, including France, Portugal, Spain, California, and Australia.
Where it is grown:
Alicante Bouschet is primarily grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence regions of France, where it is often used in blends to enhance color and body in wines. It is also widely planted in Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo region, where it is used to produce bold and flavorful red wines.
Wines it goes in:
Alicante Bouschet is commonly used in blended wines, where it contributes deep color, strong tannins, and rich flavors. It is often blended with varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre to create complex and well-structured red wines. In Portugal, Alicante Bouschet is sometimes used to make varietal wines that showcase its unique characteristics.
Projected future:
The future of Alicante Bouschet looks bright, as winemakers continue to appreciate its unique qualities and its versatility in blending. With consumers increasingly seeking out wines with depth of color and flavor, Alicante Bouschet is likely to remain a popular choice for winemakers looking to create bold and distinctive red wines. As more vineyards around the world experiment with this grape variety, we can expect to see a growing number of exceptional wines featuring Alicante Bouschet in the coming years.
In conclusion, Alicante Bouschet is a grape variety with a rich history, intriguing characteristics, and a promising future in the world of wine. Its deep color, intense flavors, and tannic structure make it a valuable addition to blends and varietal wines alike, ensuring that it will continue to be appreciated by wine enthusiasts for years to come.